COLON RECTAL SURGERY

Hemorrhoid Surgery

If hemorrhoids are causing you a lot of pain, your best method of treatment may be hemorrhoid surgery. No one likes having surgery, but sometimes it’s necessary. When it comes to hemorrhoids, what most people do not realize is that everyone has them, well the tissue that is. Hemorrhoids are veins around the anal cavity, so everyone has this hemorrhoid tissue. The doctor typically does not diagnose it as hemorrhoids until those veins swell. It is that swelling that leads to the pain and discomfort that we may feel on the daily. Through different methods of surgery, your pain and swelling can be diminished.

No one likes feeling pain, especially in the rectal and anal area. Too much pressure on the veins in that area leads to the formation of hemorrhoids. That pressure may come from straining while using the bathroom or pregnancy. Hemorrhoids are typically irritated during bowel movements, which make that process even more difficult.

There are two types of hemorrhoids:

External hemorrhoids – Can be seen and felt. They may bleed and are very painful.

Internal hemorrhoids – Lie further into the anal cavity. These typically cause less pain. They cannot be seen or felt, but they may cause bleeding as well.

Treating Hemorrhoids

To treat hemorrhoids, the doctor has to know which type you have. Sometimes you can treat them with home remedies and over-the-counter medication. When the bleeding is constant, and the pain is unbearable, the best treatment is surgery. Surgery depends on the type of hemorrhoids you have. If you have internal hemorrhoids, the type of surgery you can have is limited due to the sensitivity of the skin in the rectal area. For external hemorrhoids, the options are pretty much endless. Many times, surgery is minimally invasive and may not require any incisions at all.

The Hemorrhoidectomy Procedure

Hemorrhoidectomy is the most common form of surgery for both internal and external hemorrhoids. The procedure can be done while you are awake or sleep. You are numb, so you will not feel any pain. During the procedure, the doctor cuts out the hemorrhoids. When the doctor is finished, they will stitch you back up and normally you can just go home. The recovery process is challenging due to the pain and irritation of the stitches. There are a lot of nerves in that area, so it is very sensitive. The good thing about this surgery is that the long-term prognosis is great.

Other methods of surgery are less invasive but may only be done on external hemorrhoids. PPH or Procedure for Prolapse and Hemorrhoids is one procedure done on internal hemorrhoids. Prolapse happens when the hemorrhoid tissue protrudes out. When it happens to external hemorrhoids, it usually slips down the anal canal where you can see them. This procedure is minimally invasive because it does not require any incisions. The hemorrhoid tissue is pulled up the anal cavity and stapled. Yes, I said stapled. The position of the hemorrhoid and the staple causes it to shrivel. The veins leading to that hemorrhoid cannot supply it with blood, so it dies. Sometimes when prolapse happens with internal hemorrhoids, the doctor will just push them back into the proper place without having to staple or cut.

Common Methods of Hemorrhoid Surgery

The three most often used are

Rubber band ligation – The use of a rubber band to cut off circulation, resulting in numbness from a lack of circulation. The doctor lifts the hemorrhoid and tightens a rubber band around the base of it. The circulation is cut off, and the hemorrhoid shrivels and dies. After surgery, it takes a few days, but the hemorrhoid will just fall off.

Sclerotherapy – This method does not require the use of any incisions at all. All you need is an injection. The injection contains a chemical solution that is placed around the hemorrhoid. The solution also cuts off the blood supply so that the hemorrhoid dies.

Laser – A laser is used to burn hemorrhoidal tissue. You will have to be numb for this one because that can be painful. After the tissue is burned, the hemorrhoids are removed, and the womb closes up.

These methods of surgery lead to a faster recovery time, but sometimes the long term prognosis is not as good.

Dealing with Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are not something that anyone wants. In most cases, you can treat yourself, but when those treatments fail, it is time to see a doctor. If you are experiencing a lot of bleeding and pain during bowel movements, you should make an appointment right away. If surgery is suggested, the great thing about it is there are many options. Hemorrhoid surgery is an outpatient procedure that is done in the doctor’s office. Recovery time is fairly quick and risks are low. Don’t suffer any longer with hemorrhoids. Get them taken care of now so you no longer have to deal with all that pain and discomfort.

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